Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => Modding => Topic started by: Earthmichael on March 24, 2012, 02:21:03 PM

Title: How does one mod Black on Black flag colors to something actually readable?
Post by: Earthmichael on March 24, 2012, 02:21:03 PM

I am playing a game set up by a moderator.  When I recently installed a different version of SMACX to take care of some bugs I had run into, the faction displayed changed, and the colors changed to match.

However, the lettering the flags did NOT change.  So when my University started displaying Spartan black flags, the lettering inside the flags remained black, making it unreadable.  I need a way to change at least the flag color, or preferable all the faction display properties back to University.

I have played a couple of turns since then, but I cannnot continue.  It takes far too long to scope out my supply crawlers and terraformers to see if any are idle, and what the formers are doing.  What I could do at a glance if the flags were readable, now takes minutes to select each square.  I cannot continue the game under those circumstances.

So if anyone knows how to change at least the flag colors to something where the lettering is visible, I would greatly appreciate the help!

- Earthmichael

Title: Re: How does one mod Black on Black flag colors to something actually readable?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2012, 02:32:22 PM

I can't see what the problem is, but if you've got a graphics program that will open .pcx files, you can check your univ.pcx to make sure the colors in the bottom left corner match the attachment.  If they do, the problem is something else.  If they don't, the files has somhow corrupted, and your best bet is to reload it from the install CD.

Title: Re: How does one mod Black on Black flag colors to something actually readable?
Post by: Earthmichael on March 24, 2012, 03:25:41 PM

Thanks for your suggestion!  It lead me to a solution, at least for now.

I had never looked into graphics modding, so I had no idea what files were for what.  But when you mentioned a univ.pcx file, I realized that the simpliest dirty fix would be to replace the spartan.pcx with the univ.pcx.  So I backed up the spartan.pcx file, then replace the original with a copy of the spartan.pcx file, and the problem is solved, at least for now.

I realize this is not a permanent fix, since I don't want to leave the spartans as white.  But this at least allows me to continue my game for now.

Title: Re: How does one mod Black on Black flag colors to something actually readable?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2012, 03:29:04 PM

Great! 

Now, when Sisko checks by next, he can address the faction graphics bug with a lot more authority than I, so be prepared to try what he says...

Title: Re: How does one mod Black on Black flag colors to something actually readable?
Post by: Kilkakon on March 26, 2012, 02:55:19 PM

By default, only the Spartans have grey letters on black shields. Something that's hard coded. :( Sorry that a bug made that a bit of a d downer for you though. Let's see what sisko says...

Title: Re: How does one mod Black on Black flag colors to something actually readable?
Post by: ariete on March 27, 2012, 01:00:18 AM

I right just posted a similar question on my thresd 7 custom faction, i've also had some problems to chose the alpha percent colour for faction border watching during the game

Title: Re: How does one mod Black on Black flag colors to something actually readable?
Post by: Mart on June 13, 2012, 02:43:57 PM

It looks like you mean the faction graphics bug.
It is caused by factions list in alphacentauri.ini file. There is a tool on Apolyton:
http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/127151-Iniswap-tool-solving-faction-graphics-bug (http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/127151-Iniswap-tool-solving-faction-graphics-bug)
which solves it by making for you copies of the alphacentauri.ini file. It's not the best solution, but ok if someone does not make changes to the ini file often.

After installing iniswap, you will need to make a proper set of faction names by starting a game with such set of factions.
It could be also your solution without iniswap, to start a new game with good set of factions, then quit it and load your multiplayer game.